Traffic Light tree

The Traffic Light Tree stands eight metres tall on a roundabout near Billingsgate Market in Poplar. Created by French sculptor Pierre Vivant, it contains 75 sets of computer-controlled lights. The sculpture imitates the shape of nearby London Plane Trees while reflecting the rhythm of the surrounding area. It was installed in 1998 on the site of a plane tree damaged by pollution. The lights were meant to mirror activity on the London Stock Exchange but this idea proved too costly. Some drivers initially mistook the lights for real signals, yet the sculpture soon became popular with both locals and visitors. The artwork was moved in 2011 for roundabout improvements and reinstalled in 2013. An official lighting-up ceremony took place in January 2014, led by the Mayor of Tower Hamlets. Today, it remains a distinctive landmark in the area.